PHILIPPINES: FUNERAL OF FLOR CONTEMPLACION

(26 Mar 1995) Tagalog/Nat The Philippines Government is steeling itself for trouble at the ballot box as passions in the country remain high over the execution, in Singapore this month, of a Filipino maid. Flor Contemplacion, who was convicted of murdering another maid and a four-year-old boy, was hanged nine days ago. But millions of Filipinos believe she is innocent ... and are taking it out on the government of Fidel Ramos. Tens of thousands jammed the five-mile funeral route as a truck carried the flag-draped coffin of Flor Contemplacion from her home to the cathedral in San Pablo, 55 miles southeast of Manila. Mourners carrying the red banners of left-wing organisations, marched alongside the truck shouting, "Down with the U.S.-Ramos government!" and "Stop sending workers abroad!" The supporters braved the heat along the procession to the Church for the funeral service. Flor Contemplacion's family led the crowd gathered in the jam-packed church. Her daughter Russel thanked all those who'd expressed sympathy. SOUNDBITE: In Tagalog (Translation: "To the bishops and the priests who are one with us, our friends and relatives and to the Filipino people who are with us..... in this fight for justice. Let us continue to move for justice for my mother"). SUPER CAPTION: Russel Contemplacion, daughter of Flor Contemplacion. After the final blessing, the people once again joined the march from the church to the San Pablo Memorial. Supporters applauded as the coffin was slowly lowered into the ground. Flor's family, husband Efren and her four children watched the coffin for the last time. Opposition groups transformed the funeral into an outpouring of hostility against President Fidel Ramos and the Singapore government. . Yesterday, leftist groups held a protest rally in Manila where they burnt thousands of Singaporean flags. Critics say Ramos' economic policies favour the wealthy elite and have forced an estimated 2.5 million Filipinos to seek jobs abroad. Overseas workers send back about (dollar) $1 billion a year and are the nation's largest source of foreign currency. SOUNDBITE: ( Tagalog) What is this, our countrymen are being killed there (in Singapore), let's leave them, ban all their products here including their citizens, let's not allow them to enter here. Let's tell the Filipinos there to come home, and send them to the friendly countries. SUPER CAPTION: Ben Perez, leader, Artists (overseas) Union of the Philippines Opposition politicians have made the death of Flor Contemplacion an issue in the country's forthcoming elections. Ramos' term runs until 1998, but political analysts believe his coalition could suffer a major setback in the May 8 voting for Congress, governorships and mayoral posts. In Manila, grenades exploded Saturday near the Singapore Airlines office and the Department of Foreign Affairs. No-one was injured in the attacks and damage was minimal. Prior to Contemplacion's execution, the Urban Communist hit squad, Alex Boncayao Brigade (ABB),. threatened attacks on Singaporean "agents" and government officials if the sentence was carried out. Even after she was buried, militant groups say they will continue their protests condemning Singapore's harsh judicial system. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...